Archive for January, 2006

Legendary tough guy Jimmy Henchmen, who manages The Game and owns Czar Entertainment is facing 10 years in prison after being convicted of assault for the January 2005 beating of D.C. radio personality Xzulu "The Big Lipped Bandit".

The manager of a rap recording artist has been convicted of assaulting a Maryland disc jockey.

A jury has found 40-year-old James Rosemond guilty of the unprovoked beating of WKYS announcer DJ Zxulu.Rosemond, who lives in New York, is known as "Jimmy Henchman" and represents the artist known as "The Game." They were at the hip-hop station’s Lanham studios last January.Prince George’s County prosecutor Glenn Ivey said the attack happened after the DJ made a joke about Rosemond’s cell phone earpiece.During the two-day trial, witnesses testified that Rosemond beat Zxulu, whose real name is Richard Dunkerson, badly enough to send him to the hospital.Rosemond faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced April 3.

File this one under "What the hell were ya’ll thinking?" You manage one of the years most successful rappers, and you’re finally making a real name for yourself in the industry and putting your past behind you and you do something like this? Over a crack about your earpiece? I’d really like to know what dude said about the earpiece, because you have to figure that this could have been resolved with a simple bitch slap rather than a full beatdown. It’ll be nuts if Jimmy gets the whole ten years, but even if he doesn’t the Feds may have dibs on him when he gets out anyway.

"I’m rap’s MVP/Don’t make me remind y’all what happened in D.C." – The Game

MTV.com has posted some statements from Cassidy and Swizz Beatz. I’m still kinda confused by the whole outcome of his trial, especially by how the prosecution all of a sudden let him slide on involuntary manslaughter charge when they had previously charged and re-charged him with Murder one. In his statement he expresses regret for his actions and the loss of his friend Des Hawkins.

Cassidy: "While I am pleased that I was cleared of the murder charges, my satisfaction is not long lasting, because of the death of someone who I considered to be my friend, Des Hawkins.

"And while I am eager to resume my career as a recording artist, writer and performer," he continued in a statement issued via his attorney, "I am also eager to be reunited with my family, friends and fans."

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Swizz: "When Cassidy gets out, do not expect us to promote this situation as a cocky and violent situation, but as a blessed situation…Cass will continue to make great music, but in a positive way, educating the youth that violence is never the answer, [and] we’ll do the rest of the talking with the music."

Here’s the infamous clip from the Cocaine City 4 DVD. Calling this little confrontation Dipset vs. Junior Mafia is actually giving Dipset way too much credit. A more appropriate title might be Jr. Mafia Pounds Out Jim Jones While Cam Hides on the Sidelines. It’s really hard to see what’s going on in this video because it was recorded by pointing a camera at the DVD image playing on a screen, but the Jr. Mafia cats are nice enough to bring it back a couple times and slow motion the good parts while providing a detailed narrative. In the screenshot above the gentleman circled in red is our hero Cam’ron swiftly moving in the opposite direction of the beef, which is unfolding towards the top of the image.

DMX was on Flex’s show tonight acting pretty much exactly how you would expect him to be acting. Flex did his usual annoying thing where he dickrides whoever the guest is, and laughs incessantly at whatever the person or anyone with them says. At several points during the interview X just started growling menacingly. Of course Def Jam was a big topic, and X seems to share Cam’s dislike for comfortable footwear. He says that when he saw LA Reid wearing "chinese slippers with little gold beads on them," he knew Def Jam was in trouble. He goes on to talk about the time he almost pounded Pharrell out, while Flex screams over him in an awkward attempt to look like he’s trying to prevent beef between two artists. Eventually Cam calls in and the two get into a love fest and congratulate each other on leaving Def Jam. Cam says he’s in the middle of a hostile takeover, and X compares Cam and himself to America and England and proclaims that they’re about to take over Iraq (except he can’t remember the actual name ‘Iraq’). Oh, and he spits his version of Spellbound and tells K-Solo he’ll duff him out, in those words.

DMX and Cam on Hot97 This is only the part where Cam calls up, but if enough people care I’ll up the rest.

UPDATE: Due to an overwhelming response, I give you the rest of the DMX interview. There is also an mp3 of his new song "We in Here" with Swizz Beatz. Props to the kid from the AHH boards who recorded and upped this originally.

That right there is part 1 of a clip from Yo MTV Raps final show. It features freestyles from Rakim, KRS-One, Erick Sermon, MC Serch, and Chubb Rock.

So as part of his Def Jam deal Nas gets to start his own little hip hop factory called the Jones Experience. Let’s just hope he has better luck with The Jones Experience than he did with the Ill Will Experience.

Ok, let’s try this again. Spinemagazine has another version of the Fishscale cover. I believe the first one was the just the cover for the sampler they were passing around. Anyway, I like the first one better.

Memphis Bleek is starting a clothing line. That’s great and all but the part of the article that caught my eye was where he says he’s working on another album. And it’s gonna be a classic this time. Didn’t Malik say he’d spare us another awkward 2 star album if 534 flopped? This is just ridiculous, give it up Bleek and hand over the production budget to somebody who isn’t forever cursed.

If your not up on Rocascenes, you don’t know what you’re missing. It’s basically a fan fiction site dedicated to Jay-Z, Bleek, and the rest of the Rocafella roster. I first heard about it when Jay Smooth posted a hilarious exchange between Jay and The Game last year. There haven’t been any updates since that classic story, but the recent signing of Nas to Def Jam seems to have inspired the writer to get back on his game. The result is a hilarious account of Nas visiting the Def Jam offices to discuss his new contract with Jay:

[ After joining Jay-Z on stage, and becoming a free agent in the music industry, Nas finally decides to sign to Def Jam for his next few releases. This afternoon, he shows up to Jigga’s board room to finalize the deal, and discuss his future at the label. ]

Jay: Welcome, welcome.. come on in Nas.

Nas: What up big homie. Word.

(( Nas gives Jay a firm dap, accompanied by a hug. Despite both men being in their thirties, and discussing a corporate deal worth millions, the two interact on a level most familiar to them both. The older, Jewish lawyers surround the two rappers in an awkward silence, unsure as to whether or not to offer a regular handshake or a "hood greeting." Jay spares them the uncomfortable choice, and brings everyone to the table. ))

Jay: How you doin man?

Nas: I’m good man, I’m good. I been real busy all weekend, so I haven’t got much sleep. Word. But I can’t lie, I’m excited about this man. Real excited. Word.

Jay: We feel the same way, Nas. You’re a legend and we’re happy to have you on board here at Def Jam.

Nas: I appreciate that Jay.

Jay: It’s Mr. Carter while we’re in here.

Nas: *chuckles* Aw man, you silly.

Jay: *stern camel faced expression*

Nas: …….Word. so, what’s on the agenda for today?

Jay: Today we’re basically just gonna discuss your future here at Def Jam, and your new direction as an artist. I want you to feel as comfortable as possible.

Nas: Thanks. I gotta say… I was real worried about signin to Def Jam.. with, you know.. you being boss and all.

Jay: I feel the same. But we grown, ya know? We gotta move past the past, and do what’s best for business.

Nas: Word. I feel that, my nigga. Word.

Jay: Don’t think of me as your boss. Think of me as your friend who controls your career and writes your checks.

Nas: Word. Speakin of checks, when will I be seeing the first one?

(( The Jew layers all enter huddle and whisper amongst themselves. Jay joins the huddle, and Nas can only make out bits and pieces of what’s being said. ))

Jay: *mumble mumble Ether mumble mumble*

Nas: Uh… Jay, I need–

Jay: Nas, with all due respect, I’m your boss now. I’d really appreciate it if you refer to me as Mr. Carter, or Sir.